Catherine Mallyon CBE announced as new Chair of Creative UK

Chair of Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust and former Executive Director of Royal Shakespeare Company to succeed Belinda Budge from March 2026

Today, Thursday 6 November, Catherine Mallyon CBE has been announced as incoming Chair of Creative UK: the national membership body for the UK’s cultural and creative industries.

Catherine, who is currently Chair of Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust and Executive Director, Transition, at Sadler’s Wells, succeeds current Chair Belinda Budge, who has reached the end of her tenure in the role. Catherine will take up the post from March 2026.

Holding extensive leadership experience across the creative industries, Catherine was  Executive Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company until 2023, and before that was Deputy Chief Executive of Southbank Centre.

Catherine’s recent Board memberships include Arts Council England, the Arts and Humanities Research Council, West Midlands Combined Authority Cultural Leadership Board, and the Creative Industries Federation. She has also served as Chair of the Advisory Boards of both the Bristol + Bath Creative Cluster and the Centre for Cultural Value, based at the University of Leeds.

She is an Honorary Fellow of St John’s College, University of Oxford, was awarded a CBE in the Queens Platinum Jubilee Birthday Honours list, and holds an Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Warwick.  She has also worked as an arbitrage trader and credit analyst in the City. She plays the violin and viola in local orchestras and chamber groups.

Commenting on the appointment, Caroline Norbury OBE, Chief Executive of Creative UK said:

I am absolutely delighted that Catherine is joining our organisation as Chair. An exceptional and inclusive leader who is renowned throughout our sector, I have no doubt that Catherine will be a driving force for our organisation as we look to the next chapter of our growth. This is truly an exciting moment for Creative UK – and I know the organisation could not be in safer hands.

I also want to take a moment to thank Belinda Budge once again for her guidance, unwavering support and strategic leadership. A true champion for creativity, her impact has been immeasurable – and we are extremely grateful for her years of service.

Catherine Mallyon CBE said:

Creative UK demonstrates the extraordinary societal impact of our creative industries, whilst showcasing the UK as a global leader in creativity and innovation.  I am looking forward to working alongside the inspiring team and Board to grow and enable the UK’s shared creative future, achieving this through celebration, connectivity, advocacy and the provision of resources and financial opportunities.

It is an honour to succeed Belinda Budge as Chair and to play a part in delivering the full potential of the UK’s cultural and creative industries.

Belinda Budge said:

I am thrilled that Catherine has been appointed as the new Chair of Creative UK. A powerful advocate for the importance of creativity, her experience, insight and strength of character make her a perfect fit for this role. I look forward to welcoming her into the organisation over the coming months as we transition, before formally handing over the baton in March.

Notes to Editors

For any enquiries or requests, please contact Rebecca Maxwell at press@wearecreative.uk.

About Creative UK: Creative UK is the national membership body for the Cultural and Creative Industries.  We exist to champion creativity in its widest form – representing world-leading organisations from sectors as diverse as advertising, animation, architecture, broadcasting, crafts, design, digital, education, fashion, games, heritage, museums, music, performing arts, photography, publishing, theatre, TV, visual art and more.

We are an independent not-for-profit, which uses the insight and experience of our members to help shape relevant government policy and advocate for meaningful change. Change that will benefit UK businesses, citizens and communities.

Our vision is a world where creativity is valued and recognised as the driving force for our future.

We’re so passionate about this that we put our money where our mouth is: through own landmark investment funds, we’ve directly invested millions of pounds into creative businesses over the last decade.

Our team is based across the UK, and we work closely with Local and Combined Authorities to support creative talent, whilst delivering hands-on support – spanning business diagnostics, mentoring and investment readiness.

Our Filming in England service is a dedicated and bespoke production service to feature film and high-end TV productions looking to film in England, outside of London.